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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SWARALES, n. Also -los. A deep mire or bog-hole (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), -los, Sh. 1972). [′swɑ:rələs]Sh. 1895 Williamson MSS. (21 Feb.):
I tout it wis a swarales at naebody cud a passed.

[A subst. use of the adj. *swaraless, ad. O.N. svarðlauss, of a piece of ground: without turf or sward. Cf. Faer. svarðarleysur, id., svarðloysi, a bare piece of ground, a morass.]

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